The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, 21st January, 2024, Cycle B
St John the Evangelist
128 Bebington Road, New Ferry, CH62 5BJ
Diocese of Shrewsbury (reg. charity 234025)
Parish Priest: Fr Mario Ashuikeka
Deacon: Revd Michael Daly Phone: 0151 645 3314
Email stjohntheevangelist@gmail.com Websites http://www.stjohntheevangelistnewferry.com
The Third Sunday in Ordinary Time, Sunday, 21st January, 2024, Cycle B,
FAITH IN FOCUS: THE THOUGHT THAT COUNTS?:
One of the mistakes we regularly make when we think about repentance is to believe that we ourselves are able to make up for turning our backs on God. We can never make up for our sinfulness.
This is probably because we have the image of a God who wants us to be nice and clean. We think that we have to wash and dress ourselves spiritually so that we will be ready to meet our God, like we would do if we were going to meet some important person. But this misses the point. The Lord knows us through and through. God knows what we are made up of and it's senseless to try to pretend otherwise. That's why God sent Jesus. For only he can set us right with God, something which he did on the cross.
Of course, this doesn't mean that we just sit back and do nothing because we've already been saved. The call to repentance in today's gospel is real and momentous, and it's the very first thing that we hear Jesus talking about in St Mark's account of the Good News. That's why we are baptised: with a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. And this repentance must be a constant effort at conversion, not a once and for all dipping in a font. Repentance means some real U-turns in our lives. Yet it's the fact that we want to repent that's important to God, not whether we succeed or not. For compared with what Jesus has done for us all our attempts seem puny. So the heart of repentance is not only doing, saying and thinking in a different way; it's also having that yearning at our very core to be one with God, to live the life God wants us to live and to enjoy God's love to the full. When we stand before God at the Judgement it will not be whether we succeeded or failed that will be uppermost in God's mind. It will be whether or not we wanted to, whether or not we had the mindset for becoming like Christ. For when it comes to repentance maybe it really is the thought that counts.
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ENTRANCE ANTIPHON: O sing a new song to the Lord; sing to the Lord all the earth. In his presence are majesty and splendour, strength and honour in his holy place.
RESPONSE TO THE PSALM: Lord make me know your ways.
GOSPEL ACCLAIMATION: Alleluia, alleluia! The kingdom of God is close at hand; believe the good news. Alleluia!
COMMUNION ANTIPHON: Look toward the Lord and be radiant; let your faces not be abashed.
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Priests Retirement Fund: There will be a second collection THIS WEEKEND 20th/21st January. Thank you for your continued support.
Devotions/Adoration: Saturday Morning Devotions will be prayed in Church (the Rosary, Divine Mercy. & Divine Praises) from 10:30am-11:30am. Fr Mario will be available for the Sacrament of Reconciliation between 10.30 & 11.00. All are welcome.
Last Weeks’ Offertory Collection amounted to £528.50p. Many thanks for your continued support in these difficult times.
Mass Intentions If you would like to have a Mass said for your own or someone else’s intentions please fill in one of the Mass offering envelopes at the back of Church, place a donation in it & put it through the presbytery letterbox. Thank you.
Mass Intention Requests; Please give at least three week’s notice for your Mass intention as we are receiving a large number of requests for particular dates.
Children's Liturgy – takes place during the 9.30am Mass. All are most welcome.
In Memoriam: Please pray for the repose of the soul of Philomena Fletcher who died recently. Philomena’s Funeral Mass will be held at St John’s on Wednesday, 31st January at 9.30am followed by Landican South Chapel at 11.30am Please also pray for the repose of the soul of David Dobson who died on 6th January. David’s Combined Funeral Service will be held at Blacon Crematorium on Wednesday 31st January at 12 Noon. Please also pray for the repose of the soul of Honor Evans who died last Sunday. Honor’s Funeral Mass will be at St John’s on Tuesday, 6th February at 1.45pm followed by Blacon Crematorium at 3.20pm. Please keep Philomena’s, David’s and Honor’s families, and all those parishioners and friends who have died, in your prayers and may they and all the faithful departed rest in the peace of Christ.
Wirral Foodbank Appeal: Please help support your Foodbank with food & funds. All items urgently needed are listed on the notice board at the back of church. Please continue to support this as much as you can in these difficult times.
Sunday Morning Teas will be restarting on the first Sunday of each month commencing on the 4th February. Come along for tea/coffee and biscuits whilst enjoying a chat with your fellow parishioners.
Fr Mario's Appeal - How to help: The easiest way to contribute to parish funds is via the collection plate - cash or cheques (made payable to St John's New Ferry) are equally acceptable .If you are a tax payer and have an existing Gift Aid declaration and envelopes, please use these so that tax can be claimed back. Bank transfers: Lloyds Bank, sort code 30-15-52, account no. 54641168, in the name of St John's New Ferry. Please use your name as a reference so that Gift Aid can be claimed if possible. Or contact Carol on 07808 975011.
WE WELCOME St John’s Junior School Candidates for First Sacraments who will be joining us, with their parents/carers, at 9.30am on Sunday, 28th January for their Enrolment Mass during which they will also receive their enrolment medals.
St John’s Catholic Pre School - St John's Catholic Infant School: If your child will be 3 years of age by 31st August 2024, they will be able to join us for their Pre School year starting September 2024. You are invited to come along to Our OPEN EVENING Tuesday 23rd January 2024, 3.45pm – 4.30pm. You will be able to collect an application pack and view our setting.
PLEASE NOTE this session is for ADULTS ONLY, we are unable to accommodate children at this time. Any queries Please email Bernadette at Preschooloffice@stjohns-infant.wirral.sch.uk
Anointing & Healing Service The next Service will be held on Friday, 1st March. Speaker: Fr Chris Thomas from the Irenaeus Project, Liverpool. Theme: “If you only knew what God is offering....” (John 4:10)”. Leaflets will be on the table at the back of church. See also the poster.
WOMENS' GRACE GROUP: We met on Tuesday 9th January after quite a long time, due to recent events! We studied the Book of Ruth, with its themes of compassion, family loyalty, consideration and commitment, and will go on to consider the role of women in other parts of the Bible. We are looking for new members and hope to provide an opportunity for friendship and understanding of the Scriptures in our everyday lives. Our activities? In fact much is up to you, though we do have ideas and structures! For example Building on the success of our Christmas party with other events to follow, "Talk and Walk" sessions [short walks ending with suitable refreshment], and attending talks and events given by known speakers. Our next meeting is on Tuesday 13th February in the side chapel at St John’s, at 7.00pm. We would love to see you there. Tea and biscuits provided!
Vocations Weekend for Women (20s & 30s) Theme: Discerning God's Call in your life Dates: 16-18 February 2024 Location: Liverpool. The weekend is organised by the Sisters, Faithful Companions of Jesus (FCJ). For more information contact Sr Lynne FCJ at fcjvocationeurope@gmail.com or visit our website www.fcjsisters.org
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Saturday 20th 10.00am Carmel Mass - Thanksgiving for all Outing & Incoming Council Mmbrs
10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Cathy Williams RIP
The Third Sunday in Ord Time. Cycle B 21st 9.30am Jenny Inglis
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Monday 22nd 9.15am Private Intention
Tuesday 23rd 9.15am Decd Rels/Fnds Short & Rowlands Families
Wednesday 24th 9.15am Stephen Nolan
Thursday 25th 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Friday 26th 9.15am Pray for Families
Saturday 27th 10.30am Devotions – Rosary, Divine Mercy & Divine Praises
5.00pm Pray for all Parishes, young people & good friendship in the parishes
The Fourth Sunday in Ord Time Cycle B 28th 9.30am Enrolment Mass for 1st Sacrament Candidates
Ian Butler
7.30pm Prayer Meeting
Weekend Masses - Please note that the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed immediately before each Mass. Please use this as a time for prayer & quiet devotion. Please enter the church quietly & remain so. Thank you.
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ST ANNE’S WEEKLY MASS INTENTIONS
Saturday 20th 6.30pm Terry Birch 24th Annv.
Third Sunday in Ordinary Time 21st 11.00am Holy Family Sisters of Bordeaux
Monday 22nd 12 Noon Jack Stormont Anniv.
Tuesday 23rd 12 Noon Pat Cotter Anniv.
Wednesday 24th 12 Noon Pat & Peter Holmes Remb.
Thursday 25th 7.00pm MASS AT ST ANNE’S ONLY
Anne McGrory RIP
Friday 26th 12 Noon Eileen Watkins RIP
Saturday 27th 6.30pm Jerry Lynn RIP
Fourth Sunday in Ordinary Time 28th 11.00am Mary Ward 2nd Anniv.
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Pope Francis' Intentions for January:
"We pray that educators may be credible witnesses, teaching fraternity rather than competition and helping the youngest and most vulnerable above all."
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